Prompt: "Choose a side: a song that you'd consider 'classic East Coast hip hop' or a song you'd consider 'classic West Coast hip hop'"
Selected by Beth
"Hail Mary"
2Pac ft. Outlawz
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, 1996
While I am going West Coast with my choice, I actually thought of this song because it reminds me of Philly. Specifically because it is featured on the Creed soundtrack, and that movie and soundtrack are so good. Genius is also telling me that this song was recorded in 30 minutes, and 2Pac wrote his lyrics in fifteen minutes, and wow, that is talent! The ways in which he used religion to rap about both his lived experience and as a kind of prophetic threat to others is impressive. The first line of the first verse ("I ain't a killer but don't push me") is just such a strong way to start off and sets the tone for the rest of the song. Also, reading that he released this as he was having his own visions of imminent death is chilling. Anyway, I do wish I had more of a profound analysis of this song, but I am writing this just under the wire of submission and my brain is not fully functioning. All in all, a great song that will hype me up as if I'm about to get in the ring.
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